Royals announce field of 32 for sixth-inning anthem tournament

Garth Brooks, Journey to square off in opening-round matchup

If Garth Brooks wants to remain a sixth-inning staple at Kansas City Royals games this summer, he will have to earn it.

The team announced a 32-track tournament Tuesday to determine the new sixth-inning anthem. “Friends in Low Places,” used for the last few seasons, is in the field and has a first-round matchup with “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey on Monday.

The potential replacements were determined by fan submissions in the offseason and the tracks were placed in alphabetical order for the opening-round matchups.

During each home game, beginning with Friday’s opener, fans at Kauffman Stadium will be able to vote via text for one of two songs featured for that game. The winning song will be revealed June 7.

Other notable opening-round matchups include “Centerfield” by John Fogerty vs. “Dancing Queen” by ABBA (Sunday), “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor vs. “Kansas City” by The Beatles (April 18) and “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift vs. “1999” by Prince (May 13).